Which Airlines You Can Book Through Costco Travel

Costco Travel has evolved far beyond a simple perk tacked onto a warehouse membership. For many travelers, it is now a full-fledged agency that bundles airfare with hotels, cruises and rental cars in a way that can be both convenient and cost effective.

Yet one of the most common questions readers ask is straightforward: which airlines can you actually book through Costco Travel, and how does that affect the value of your trip? The answer depends heavily on Costco Travel flights, where airline availability is shaped by package structure rather than open-market search.

How Costco Travel Handles Flights Today

Costco Travel does not operate like an online travel agency that sells standalone airfare tickets. According to Costco’s own flight help center, flights are only sold as part of a vacation package or a build your own trip option, not as separate tickets you can purchase on their own. That means you will always be pairing your flights with at least a hotel, cruise or other land component when you book through Costco Travel.

In practical terms, this shapes both the airline choices you see and the prices you are offered. Costco Travel pulls its air content through technology partners like Travelport and newer distribution platforms such as Mystifly, which aggregate schedules and fares from multiple airlines.

This behind the scenes infrastructure gives Costco access to a wider range of carriers and fare types than a small agency could typically negotiate on its own, but it also means availability can vary by destination, season and package type.

Because flights are embedded in packages, travelers will often notice that they cannot freely mix different airlines on round trips or multi city journeys in the same way they might on some metasearch sites.

Costco packages tend to be built around a single carrier or a pair of partner airlines for the sake of simplicity and contract pricing. That design is intentional, and it has a direct impact on which airlines show up when you search.

The Official Costco Travel Airline Partner List

The clearest view of which airlines you can book through Costco Travel comes from its own help center, which maintains an up to date list of airline partners.

As of mid December 2025, Costco Travel’s published airline partners include Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Delta Air Lines, Fiji Airways, French bee, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Porter Airlines, Sky Express, United Airlines and WestJet.

This roster reveals several useful patterns for members. First, Costco Travel clearly leans toward full service and network carriers rather than ultra low cost airlines. Many of its partners belong to major global alliances or codeshare networks, which can simplify connections and baggage handling on more complex routes.

Second, the list has a definite North American focus, with strong representation from the United States and Canada, reinforced by a small but targeted group of carriers serving key leisure destinations like the South Pacific and the Caribbean.

It is important to remember that this list reflects airlines Costco has an ongoing relationship with, not necessarily every carrier you might see in a specific package. Charter arrangements or cruise line air add ons can sometimes bring in other airlines on a limited or route specific basis.

However, for standard Costco Travel flight inclusive packages, these 20 or so airlines form the core of what most members will encounter when they search.

Major U.S. Airlines Available Through Costco Travel

For many travelers based in the United States, the most consequential question is which big domestic carriers work with Costco Travel. The current partner list includes Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines.

Together, these airlines cover the bulk of mainline domestic and many international routes from U.S. gateways, giving Costco members broad flexibility on where they can go while still booking through the warehouse’s platform.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines figure prominently in Costco vacation packages to Hawaii, Alaska, the West Coast and the Pacific. United and American commonly anchor packages to Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, especially from their major hubs.

Delta Air Lines appears frequently on packages from key Delta cities, particularly into Europe and popular sun destinations. Because these are mainstream network carriers, Costco Travel is generally offering the same aircraft types and basic schedules you would find booking directly, though specific fare classes and change rules may differ.

One notable absence in the domestic sphere is Southwest Airlines. Travel industry coverage and Costco focused reviews routinely highlight that Southwest does not participate in most third party booking channels, and Costco Travel is no exception.

Travelers loyal to Southwest or reliant on its extensive point to point network will need to book those flights separately and either forego Costco packages or build land only arrangements through Costco Travel while arranging airfare on their own.

International and Niche Carriers in the Costco Mix

Beyond the big U.S. names, Costco Travel’s airline lineup strategically fills in key international corridors. Air Canada and WestJet extend Costco’s reach across Canada and into transatlantic and sun destinations that are especially popular with Canadian members.

British Airways, Air France and Iberia connect Costco travelers from North America into Europe, often feeding through London, Paris and Madrid to a wide web of onward routes.

On long haul leisure routes, airlines such as Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui and Fiji Airways support Costco’s packages to bucket list destinations like Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji. French bee reflects the rise of lower cost long haul carriers that still offer a more traditional service footprint than ultra low cost competitors, making them practical for bundled packages.

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express help stitch together itineraries within Greece and between the Greek islands and the wider European network, while Bahamasair and Cayman Airways are tailored to Caribbean vacation packages that pair flights with resort stays.

New technology partnerships have also deepened Costco’s access to some partner content. In 2024, for example, tech provider Mystifly announced that Costco Travel had deployed its Smart Selling Platform with an initial focus on Hawaiian Airlines.

As a result, Costco gained access to Hawaiian’s exclusive NDC content, including neighbor island point to point flights and dynamically priced ancillaries that are available only through Hawaiian’s own HA Connect channels. For travelers, this kind of integration can translate into a wider set of timings, better seat and ancillary options, and potentially sharper package pricing on that specific carrier.

What You Cannot Book: Low Cost Gaps and Standalone Flights

Just as important as knowing which airlines are available through Costco Travel is understanding what you will not find. The biggest gap involves ultra low cost and major budget carriers whose business models rely heavily on selling directly to consumers or through limited distribution partners.

Southwest is the most cited example in the U.S. market, but depending on the route, you are also unlikely to see deep discount carriers mirrored in many Costco packages even if they operate on the same city pair.

Travel experts who have compared Costco packages with standalone airfare often point out that Costco’s flight options can be limited for travelers chasing absolute rock bottom prices. Because Costco emphasizes reliability and bundled value, it generally does not piece together itineraries using separate low cost segments or less established carriers to shave a marginal amount off a fare.

That can be a positive for those who value smoother connections and clearer customer service lines, but it may not appeal to highly price sensitive travelers.

The other clear restriction is Costco’s decision not to sell flights as standalones. If you are only looking to book airfare, Costco Travel will not display a pure flight only option, and its help center is explicit that flights are sold solely as part of broader packages.

Some cruise reservations offer a form of air add on, where Costco works through the cruise line to secure flights, but those arrangements still sit inside a larger trip framework. Travelers who prefer to string together their own accommodations or rely on alternative lodging platforms like vacation rentals may find this limiting.

How to See Which Airlines Are Available for Your Trip

While the partner list provides a helpful overview, the airlines you can book through Costco Travel on any specific itinerary depend on your departure city, destination, dates and package type. The most straightforward way to see your options is to use Costco Travel’s search tools for vacation packages, build your own trips or cruise plus air bundles.

Once you enter your origin, destination and travel dates, the system surfaces eligible flights, usually grouped by airline with limited ability to mix carriers in the same itinerary.

Costco’s interface often highlights a recommended or included flight, with options to adjust departure times or sometimes airports, but not to fully customize across airlines.

If a preferred carrier appears on the partner list but not in your search results, that absence typically reflects network realities, contract inventory or the fact that Costco has built that particular package around another airline with whom it has stronger terms for that route. In practice, flexibility with origin or travel dates can sometimes bring additional airlines into view.

For more complex trips, Costco Travel encourages members to call and speak with an agent, particularly for multi city, open jaw or intricate international itineraries. Agents have access to the same partner roster but can sometimes see additional schedule combinations or fare options that are not prominently displayed online.

They can also clarify whether a preferred airline can be added to an existing package or whether you would be better served booking flights separately and using Costco only for hotels, tours or cruises.

Loyalty Programs, Seat Selection and Service Considerations

Booking flights through Costco Travel raises common questions about airline loyalty and control. Costco’s policy is that you cannot redeem frequent flyer miles or credit card points directly as payment for flights within its packages.

That said, you can usually enter your frequent flyer number during the booking process or later by using the airline confirmation number found on your Costco itinerary. Once your airline recognizes the reservation in its own system, flights typically accrue miles according to the booked fare class and the airline’s rules.

Seat selection is another area where travelers should manage expectations. Costco Travel notes that seat maps are not always available at booking and that preassigned seats, if confirmed, remain subject to change by the airline because of schedule or aircraft swaps.

Many members find that logging into the airline’s own site after receiving the confirmation number gives them wider access to standard and paid seating options than what appears at the time of package purchase. This extra step is often worth taking for families or groups that want to sit together.

In terms of service, Costco Travel remains the primary point of contact for changes or issues related to the package itself, including flights that are part of that bundle. However, day of travel disruptions, check in questions and in airport assistance still flow through the operating airline.

In some cases, that airline may differ from the marketing carrier shown on your Costco itinerary, reflecting codeshares between partners such as Delta and Virgin Atlantic or American and British Airways. Costco advises members to complete online check in and airport formalities with the airline actually operating the flight, a distinction that can be important when flights are branded one way but flown by another carrier.

When Booking Flights Through Costco Travel Makes Sense

Looking strictly at airfare, Costco Travel’s pricing is often comparable to booking directly with an airline or through a major online travel agency. Independent analyses have found that Costco fares may occasionally be slightly higher or slightly lower, but rarely out of line in either direction for the same cabin and fare type.

Where Costco often shines is in the overall value of the package: member only extras like resort credits, free breakfasts or Costco Shop Cards can tilt the equation decisively in favor of booking through Costco even when the raw airfare is essentially the same.

That means Costco Travel’s airline partnerships matter most when you want the convenience of a bundle and place value on included perks, simplified payments and the backup of a well resourced agency if something goes wrong.

If you are comfortable flying on major network or midrange carriers, your odds of finding a workable itinerary through Costco are high, especially from larger North American gateways. The airline list is wide enough to support most mainstream leisure itineraries, from Hawaii and Europe to the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

On the other hand, travelers who build itineraries around ultra low cost carriers, need extremely customized routing, or want maximum freedom to mix and match airlines may find Costco’s structure constraining.

For those trips, it can make sense to treat Costco Travel as a land and cruise specialist, using its packages and member benefits for hotels and onboard credits while booking airfare separately through airlines or other channels that align better with your preferred flying style.

The Takeaway

Costco Travel’s airline lineup is deliberately curated rather than exhaustive. As of December 2025, members can book flight inclusive packages on a solid roster of full service and network carriers, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, British Airways, Air France, Iberia, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, Cayman Airways, Fiji Airways, French bee, Porter Airlines and Sky Express.

This list supports a wide variety of mainstream leisure trips even if it leaves out some ultra low cost and direct sale oriented airlines like Southwest.

Because Costco Travel sells flights only as part of larger packages, you should think less in terms of buying a standalone ticket and more in terms of buying a complete trip whose flights are anchored by one of these partner carriers.

That model can deliver strong value when combined with member only extras and carefully negotiated hotel or cruise deals, particularly for families and couples heading to popular vacation regions. At the same time, it may not be ideal for every traveler or every itinerary.

The most practical approach is to treat Costco’s airline partners as a framework rather than a rigid promise. Start by confirming that your preferred airlines and routes appear on the official partner list, then run package searches that align with your dates and departure cities. If the options look compelling, consider the whole bundle: airfare, accommodations, transfers and perks.

If they do not, you still have the option to leverage Costco’s strengths on the ground while building your own air solution elsewhere. Knowing the boundaries of Costco Travel’s airline partnerships is ultimately what allows you to use this member benefit strategically rather than by habit.

FAQ

Q1. Which airlines can I currently book through Costco Travel?
Costco Travel’s published airline partners include Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Delta Air Lines, Fiji Airways, French bee, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Porter Airlines, Sky Express, United Airlines and WestJet, though availability varies by route and package.

Q2. Can I book Southwest Airlines through Costco Travel?
No. Southwest Airlines does not participate in Costco Travel’s standard air program, and its flights generally do not appear in Costco’s vacation packages or build your own trip options, so you must book Southwest directly if you want to fly that carrier.

Q3. Does Costco Travel sell flights by themselves without a hotel or cruise?
No. Costco Travel sells flights only as part of vacation packages, build your own trips or cruise plus air arrangements. If you are looking for airfare alone without any land or cruise component, you will need to book through an airline or another travel provider.

Q4. Will I earn frequent flyer miles if I book my flights through Costco Travel?
In most cases you can earn frequent flyer miles on flights booked through Costco Travel as long as you enter your loyalty number and the fare class is eligible, but you cannot pay for the flights using airline miles or credit card reward points within the Costco Travel system.

Q5. Can I choose my seats on flights booked with Costco Travel?
Seat selection is sometimes available during the Costco booking process, but not always, and all seat assignments remain subject to change by the airline. Many travelers use the airline confirmation number from their Costco itinerary to log into the airline’s own website and choose or adjust seats there.

Q6. Why don’t I see every airline from the partner list when I search for my dates?
The airlines shown for any given search depend on your departure city, destination, dates and the way a particular package is built. Some partners may not operate the route you want, may be sold out, or may not be included in that specific package’s contracted air options.

Q7. Can I mix different airlines in the same Costco Travel itinerary to get a cheaper price?
Costco packages typically rely on a single airline or a small group of partner carriers for each itinerary, so you will find limited ability to mix multiple unrelated airlines on the same ticket purely to reduce cost.

Q8. How do I know which airline is actually operating my Costco Travel flight?
Your Costco itinerary lists the marketing airline, and often notes if the flight is operated by a different carrier through a codeshare. You should use the operating airline for online check in and airport services, even if another airline’s name appears on the ticket.

Q9. Is booking flights through Costco Travel cheaper than booking directly with the airline?
Flight prices through Costco Travel are often similar to those available directly from the airline, but the overall package can deliver better value because of included extras like resort credits, Costco Shop Cards or other member benefits that you would not receive on an airfare only purchase.

Q10. What should I do if my flight in a Costco Travel package is changed or canceled?
If your flight is changed or canceled before travel, you should contact Costco Travel to review your options, since the flight is part of a package and changes may affect other components. For same day disruptions at the airport, you can also work directly with the operating airline’s agents to be rebooked, within the rules of your ticket.